Metallic nails with Milv

Rarely do I take the pains to edit more than one pic of a mani these days. I am just trying to cut down a bit of the boring work which in turn puts me off completely from making any post at all. But this one I couldn't resist! This milv decal is just gorgeous! Now I wish I had selected more of metallic decals from them. 

Base: Knocked Up nails Fierce, Fabulous Female

Accent: Milv decal F-79 (in silver)

They are an absolute breeze to use. Super Easy. 

Just dip in water, peel of the back, place them and file them form the free edge.

I thought they would wrinkle up or shrink once I apply top coat, but to my surprise they did not at all.

They are also an easy peasy way to spruce up your mani in a jiffy. It took me literally 5 mins to put the decals on 3 nails. The best part is that a clean up brush dipped in acetone just cuts right through these decals and melts them away very neatly. So no jagged edges or corners popping up at all.

Its quite simple almost like putting a sticker but the end result is much more pretty.

They are reasonable for around $2. I could get one use from one sheet for both hands.

Knocked Up Nails: Fierce, Fabulous Female

This deep dark burgundy creme polish is from a brand called Knocked Up Nails.

Knocked Up Nails (link) is 5-free maternity safe nail polish formula does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate (dbp) or camphor. It also does not contain triphenyl phosphate (tphp). They are long-lasting and chip resistant.

Base: Knocked Up Nails : Fierce, Fabulous Female 

Applies streak free but needs 2 coats to be uniform.

Dries fast in 5-7 mins. I am totally in love with the quality of their polish. This is the 4th shade I have from this brand and I am quite impressed. They have totally nailed the formula on their polishes.

For a detailed review of this brand click here: link

Each polish is 15 ml/0.5oz and retails for $10.

Knocked up nails (link) is not only safe for pregnant women but also safe for allergy sufferers, cancer patients and children.

*polish sent for an honest review

Born Pretty Silicone Mat Review

Sometime ago the lovely people at Born Pretty store sent me this silicone mat (link; #34556) for review and it just the thing I needed!! This mat is so versatile and easy to use. And it also serves as a base to protect your work surface from all kinds of polish and acetone spills.

This mat is the large version at approx 28x21cm.

It has both light and dark areas so its very convenient to make decals with all kinds of shades

There are printed swatch places and circles along with a small ruler measurement to make bigger decals or customized decals. It comes with a cardboard box for storage which is very useful and keeps the dust off your mat.

I used the mat for the first time to make a drag marble decal as water marble is still something I am unable to produce. After using this mat to make drag marble decals I was quite pleased to say that the results turned out quite well. Almost as good as a water marble manicure.

Base: Knocked Up nails French Pink and Fierce Fabulous female

Born Pretty Mat used to make drag marble decals.

I cant wait to play around more with this mat!

It retails for approx $7 (link; #34556) and is completely reasonable when compared to some other pricey mats in the market. Also the plus point for this mat is the underside of the mat has a rubbery surface which sticks to your working surface so the mat doesnt slide anywhere.

A silicone mat is certainly a must have for any nail art enthusiast and Born Pretty store mat certainly lives up to my expectations.

Knocked Up Nails: French Pink

This cute pink polish is from a brand called Knocked Up Nails.

Knocked Up Nails (link) is 5-free maternity safe nail polish formula does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate (dbp) or camphor. It also does not contain triphenyl phosphate (tphp). They are long-lasting and chip resistant.

Base: Knocked Up Nails : French Pink 

I earned a little blue box is a cute light pink shade. Applies streak free but needs 3-4 coats to go opaque.

Dries fast in 5-7 mins. 

For a detailed review of this brand click here: link

Each polish is 15 ml/0.5oz and retails for $10.

Knocked up nails (link) is not only safe for pregnant women but also safe for allergy sufferers, cancer patients and children.

*polish sent for an honest review

Mandala Gradient

A vibrant and bold mani to turn away the monsoon blues!

Base: Knocked up nails I earned a little blue box and Orly Glowstick

Stamping plate: BP L053 (link ; #36311)

Stamping polish: Essence Black Stampy polish

Here are some other designs on that plate:

Stamping plate is from Born Pretty #36311 with mandala type designs in floral motifs. They show off the base colour and yet give the nail a full designed look. The whole plates is filled with design but not like a buffet style. There are distinct borders to identify each design.

This plate retails for $2.99 in a promotion going on at the moment.

I had no trouble picking up the images from this plate even during very humid conditions in the monsoon season here. 

Knocked Up Nails Swatch: I earned a little blue box

This pretty polish is from a brand called Knocked Up Nails.

Knocked Up Nails (link) is 5-free maternity safe nail polish formula does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate (dbp) or camphor. It also does not contain triphenyl phosphate (tphp). They are long-lasting and chip resistant.

Base: Knocked Up Nails :I Earned A Little Blue Box 

I earned a little blue box is a muted aqua shade. Applies streak free and goes opaque in 2 coats.

Dries fast in 5-7 mins. 

For a detailed review of this brand click here: link

Each polish is 15 ml/0.5oz and retails for $10.

Knocked up nails (link) is not only safe for pregnant women but also safe for allergy sufferers, cancer patients and children.

Knocked Up nails : Coral Cutie swatch

Recently when just aimlessly surfing about I came across this brand of nail polish that is safe for use during pregnancy. I was quite intrigued since I had refrained from using polish during pregnancy. So I wrote to them and they sent me a bunch for review. 

Knocked Up Nails (link) is 5-free maternity safe nail polish formula does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate (dbp) or camphor. It also does not contain triphenyl phosphate (tphp). They are long-lasting and chip resistant.

There are really very few brands in the market that are 5 free and cater to people who are chemically averse. People using cosmetics and polishes need to know in order to a choice suitable to them.

This issue tends to get importance when the risk is unknown for example: how much does it effect an unborn child when the mother uses these chemicals? how much is safe?

These are some of the few questions that plagued me when I was pregnant. I would have felt much at ease using nail polish during those nine months had I known about these 5 free options and got easy access to them. 

In India there is virtually no awareness of this concept unless one is a nail geek and reads up a lot of nail and beauty blogs. None of the commercial brands here give the option of using a safer alternative to chemical laden polishes and cosmetics.

Base: Knocked up nails Coral Cutie

This shade is called Coral Cutie, it's a very bright pink-coral shade in glossy creme finish. I am pleasantly surprised to say that it lasted on my nails almost 6-7 days without chipping. 

It doesnt have a strong smell either. Most polish tends to chip on me after 3 days of wear. 

Quite impressive.

Each polish is 15 ml/0.5oz and retails for $10.

Knocked up nails (link) is not only safe for pregnant women but also safe for allergy sufferers, cancer patients and children.

*polish sent for an honest review